After the Second World War, countries formed international organisations like the European Union and the United Nations to rebuild their societies and stop future conflicts. In the Junior Cycle exam, you will evaluate how these organisations promoted international co-operation, justice, and human rights.
Why European Integration Began
World War II left Europe devastated. Leaders like Robert Schuman of France wanted to rebuild industry and bind historic rivals France and Germany together so closely that war between them became impossible.
Aims of the EU: keep peace between member states; raise living standards through free trade; allow free movement of people, goods, services, and money; give aid to poorer regions; and protect the rights of workers and citizens.
Integration started in 1951 with the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), when six nations pooled their coal and steel under a shared authority. In 1957, the Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community (EEC), setting up a common market by abolishing customs duties between member states.
From Community to European Union
European co-operation expanded over several decades through major treaties and new members.
- 1973 Enlargement: Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK), and Denmark joined the EEC.
- 1992 Maastricht Treaty: Formally established the European Union and laid out the path to the single currency (the euro).
Four main institutions govern the EU:
- The Commission: Proposes laws and manages day-to-day operations.
- The Council of Ministers: Government ministers from each country debate and vote on laws.
- The European Parliament: Directly elected MEPs represent citizens and approve the EU budget.
- The Court of Justice: Ensures EU laws are applied fairly across all member states.
Evaluating the EU: Co-operation, Justice, and Human Rights
Evaluating means looking at both successes and shortcomings before reaching a balanced judgement.
| Focus Area | Evidence of Success | Limitations and Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| International co-operation | No member state has gone to war with another since the ECSC was founded in 1951. The EU grew into one of the world's biggest trading blocs. | Member states often fail to agree on a common foreign policy, and the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016. |
| Justice | The Court of Justice applies common rules across all member states. Structural funds invested billions to build modern roads and infrastructure in less-developed areas. | Big gaps in wealth remain between richer and poorer member states. |
| Human rights | As part of its EEC obligations, Ireland passed an equal pay law in 1974 and banned discrimination at work on grounds of sex in 1977. | Critics say too much power lies with unelected Commission officials rather than with voters — the democratic deficit. |
The United Nations (UN)
The UN was founded in 1945, straight after World War II, to maintain international peace and security.
- Its central aims are to prevent armed conflict, defend human rights, and tackle poverty.
- In 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, defining basic freedoms for all people worldwide.
- The UN sends peacekeeping forces to conflict areas. Ireland joined the UN in 1955, and Irish defence forces have served on major peacekeeping missions in the Congo (1960) and Lebanon (1978).
- A major limitation is the Security Council veto: any of the five permanent members can block resolutions, which has often prevented the UN from stopping wars.
Key terms
- Sovereignty
- The authority of an independent state to govern itself and pass its own laws.
- Treaty of Rome (1957)
- The agreement that established the European Economic Community (EEC) and created the common market.
- Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
- An EU system providing subsidies and guaranteed prices to support farmers and food production.
- Maastricht Treaty (1992)
- The treaty that formally created the European Union and established the timetable for the euro.
- Democratic Deficit
- The criticism that EU decisions are made by unelected officials rather than directly accountable representatives.
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
- A historic UN document outlining fundamental rights and freedoms protected for all human beings.
- Veto
- The constitutional right of any permanent UN Security Council member to reject and block a proposal.
Check yourself
Which 1957 treaty established the European Economic Community (EEC)?
The Treaty of Rome.
In what year did Ireland join the EEC alongside the UK and Denmark?
1973.
Give one way EU membership changed life in Ireland.
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments supported family farm incomes.
What document did the United Nations adopt in 1948 to define basic human rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
What power held by the five permanent UN Security Council members can block international action?
The veto.